Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. First let’s get to the very important list of Senior Birthdays in September. Many Happy Returns! to Gloria Abbott, James Gowan, Garth Long, Mattie Winkleman, and Clifton Kroeber. Which reminds me of a question that was asked of me recently: Who is the oldest man and woman residing in the Valley at this time? My initial guesses are Freda Fox who turned 92 in March and Ross Murray who will be 92 in September. But I would certainly like to hear from anyone who can correct me if they know otherwise.

Public Service Announcements. #120: County Fair time in Boonville is just around the corner, Sept 17th-19th. #121: The Boonville Farmer’s Market is still going on every Saturday morning in the parking lot at The Boonville Hotel from 9.30am to noon. #122: Here’s a couple reminders of the opening hours for two local small businesses in town. Laughing Dog Books is open from Friday thru’ Monday, 9am to 7pm each day, and owner Loretta Houck informs me that she is now stock­ing a number of magazines — about 20 in time but for now she has The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Con­sumer Reports, Vanity Fair, and Skateboarder, among others. Mosswood Market’s Pillar Echeverria tells me she is open weekdays from 7am to 3pm and then from 8am to 3pm weekends #123: Talking of The Fair, you will be pleased to know that not quite everything else inexplicably stops taking place during the preceding week. Oh, no, the Senior Center just keeps on going and going and their ‘Bingo and Dinner’ night is at 6pm next Tuesday, Sept 14th (not the 13th as stated in the new Grange newsletter). It’s the hottest ticket in town and I suggest you get there early to get a good seat. All are welcome, not just seniors — prizes galore following a wonderful feast.

Topics under discussion at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes: “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…When a regular dropped off that recently distrib­uted Grange Newsletter one thing hit me immediately: the unsightly ‘blackout’ on the front page which is as a result of the scribbled deletion on the inner page for the Boonville Hotel advertisement. Surely The Hotel could have done a different ad one has to think. Or did the Grange people put in an old ad and then have to delete something deemed inappropriate from every issue? It seems very strange.

…I don’t know of anyone in the Christine Woods/Floodgate area who is receiving any ‘deal’ for being bombarded by noise pollution from the Gold­eneye’s Narrows Vineyard but if anyone does deserve some compensation for their inconvenience over this past few months it would surely be these sleep-deprived souls. Now this — a little bird popped into The 3-Dot the other day and informed me that in order to keep their neighbors ‘happy,’ some other wineries have been pay­ing money to the long-suffering victims of the noise pollution in certain parts of the Valley. Very interesting. Is this true? I think we should be told.

…Talking of ‘noise pollution,’ several 3-Dot regulars have informed me that the downtown Boonville area was under constant ‘attack’ from such a thing last Tuesday when the alarm on a vehicle parked behind the ice cream store intermittently pierced the peace and quiet with a very irritating alarm sound that went on and off for about four hours. Those nearby were not happy. I would have been quite annoyed too had I not been in Santa Rosa with Hummingbird — whose car it was! She had pur­posely not locked it but apparently there was an electri­cal fault that led to the problem. Upon our return to the Valley, the vehicle was stuck in “park” as a result of the alarm’s activation and could not be moved. It had to be towed to Starr Auto in Philo where it currently resides, wallowed in guilt, as we await information from the manufacturer about ‘deactivation codes.’ Hummingbird was mortified and sends her sincere apologies to all affected by her unintentional ‘pollution.’

…‘Things people say.’ I overheard these words uttered by a tourist sitting outside ‘All That Good Stuff’ in Boonville on Sunday afternoon. “Oh, yes, Hendy Woods is quite pretty.” “Quite pretty”? I think she meant to say, “Absolutely stunning and beautiful,” but she had drunk too much wine and was unable to express herself very well.

…And with these things in mind here are some thoughtful words from the historian and environmentalist writer, Wallace Stegner: “Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed; if we permit the last virgin forests to be turned into comic books; if we drive the few remaining members of the wild species into zoos or to extinction; or if we pollute the last clean air and dirty the last clean streams and push our paved roads through the last of the silence.”

I’m outta here, but not before I ask that, with the hot weather almost with us, could you please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Poking and strok­ing egos wherever necessary. Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.

]]> http://theava.com/archives/8114/feed 0 http://theava.com/archives/7997 http://theava.com/archives/7997#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:46:09 +0000 Turkey Vulture http://theava.com/?p=7997

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. I have been very remiss of late and failed to mention the August birthdays of the following seniors, many of whom are regular attendees at the weekly Senior Center lunches and dinners: Kay Clark, Joy Daniels, Donna Reilly, Bev Burger, Fritz Kuny, Joe Hansen, Mark Fontaine, and Ellen Fontaine. Better late than never, I s’pose, so it’s ‘Congratulations and Many Happy returns to all!’

With that in mind, and having spent quite a bit of time around the Senior Center in recent times, for the Quote of the Week I offer up these words from the great comedian George Burns, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” The group above would seem to bare that out, wouldn’t you say?

Moving on to this week’s Public Service Announce­ments — just a few of the Valley’s gatherings that hap­pen every week or so. The A.V. Lending Library run by The Unity Club is open on Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 4.30pm and on Saturday 2pm to 4pm at The Fairgrounds. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday sees the AV Museum is open from 1pm to 4pm at The Little Red Schoolhouse on Hwy 128 by the Elementary School. Hopefully on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, the County Dump is open from 9am-4pm each day up on Mountain View Road about a mile or so out­side Boonville. (Remember ‘No Dead Animals.’) And finally, on the first and third Tuesday and every Thurs­day there is a lunch at The Senior Center Lunch served at 12.15pm. On the second Tuesday it’s Dinner and Bingo Night at 6pm, with dinner served once more on the fourth Tuesday, again at 6pm. You don’t have to be a senior to attend. All are welcome.

Now on to a couple of the topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes, “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…The dinner at The Senior Center in Boonville on Tuesday Aug 24th was simply delicious. On the menu was Cook Natalie’s Enchiladas in red sauce — some truly wonderful culinary delights, I must say. There was a good crowd once again and Hummingbird and I snapped up the final six enchiladas! Hope you were there!

…Just as tasty, and also selling out, was the bbq at last weekend’s Barn Sale cooked by Irma Sanchez. Once again, if you were hungry in the Valley you could have done yourself a big favor.

…If you were both hungry and thirsty, and you went to the gathering that was officially for tasting room employees held last Thursday at The Golden Eye Win­ery, you would have been very pleased. I would have gone but given the things this particular winery has been doing of late in terms of noise pollution in the Christine Woods region of the Valley, I decided not to. I have been told by some Three-Dot regulars that it was a very well attended event and I’m sure everything was wonderful and a nice party ensued, but a hypocritical Turkey Vul­ture is a bad Vulture, not that that is a bad thing of course. Just not on this occasion.

…Several Mexican adult soccer league players and fans swung by The 3-Dot on Sunday and downed a few Pacifico beers following a convincing victory by Valla­dolid — one of three teams in the league based in the Valley, each of which features many former high school players. The other two teams are Leon and of course, La Laguneta, named after the town in the Mexican State of Michoacan where the vast majority of the Valley’s Mexican community is either from or has heritage. The teams play every Sunday with at least one playing in the Valley at Tom Smith Field by the school every week at 10am.

I’m outta here. But first a few ‘instructions.’ With the hot weather almost with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Tur­key Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. You can contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Let­ters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably I shall begin. I have little to report this week as I had a short break from flying around and observing the Valley over the past seven days or so.

I did venture out on Sunday lunchtime and found myself devouring the delicious Mexican bbq chicken plate prepared on his outside grill/smoker by owner/operator Ricardo at The Redwood Drive-in. Even Hummingbird, who is not a big meat-eater like myself, was heard to say “This is a beautiful piece of chicken.” Check it out when you get a chance. Trust me on this, you can thank me later.

Anyway, if nothing else, I should do my weekly duty and provide you with the Public Service Announce­ments. #103: The vets from the Mendocino Animal Hos­pital will be here tomorrow, Thursday, August 26th from 2pm to 3.30pm at The Farm Supply north of Philo. Don’t forget to support your local farm supply while you’re there. It will make you feel good. #104: The live music series continues in The Deep End this Friday evening (August 27th) when the wonderful Texas Swing band, “Asleep at the Wheel” will be in town. To get such a top act to come by and play at his Navarro Store venue is quite a coup by owner Dave Evans and hopefully the community will get down there to support it and have a great time doing so. #105: Don’t forget the weekly Boonville Farmer’s Market at the Hotel parking lot in Boonville from 9:30am to noon on Saturday the 28th. And finally, #106: it’s time once again for the monthly Barn Sale at The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on AV Way just north of Boonville. It’s from 9am to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday, 28th and 29th, and as an added plus, each day from 11am to 2pm, Senor M will be serving up his Efrenburgers and Men­dozadogs from the grill.

Latest small business news. In the space next to the location formerly known as The Boonville Lodge, a new Mexican Restaurant by the name of Yuri’s has opened. It is owned and operated by Brenda Soris and she tells me they plan to be open every day from 9am to 9pm with Chinese food added to the menu on weekends at some point soon. I wish them every success. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Lodge location will soon be filled by The Boonville Saloon just as soon as the Alcohol Bever­age Control people can fit it into their busy schedule to grant the long-awaited license. As for The Buckhorn, as I have said several times already, it is about two months away. When it does open, it will be a pub/restaurant with a lunch and dinner menu similar to The Lodge in recent times, a brunch on weekends, pizza (to go too), a beer garden, a wide selection of draft beers, and many local wines.

I’m outta here until next time. But let me remind you that in the hot weather please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Oth­erwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wher­ever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or by e-mail at <turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net>

]]> http://theava.com/archives/7927/feed 0 http://theava.com/archives/7869 http://theava.com/archives/7869#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:45:41 +0000 Turkey Vulture http://theava.com/?p=7869 Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. It’s the hottest ticket in town! I’m referring to the Dinner and Bingo Night held on the sec­ond Tuesday of each month at the Senior Center in Boonville. Last week, sixty-three (63!) Valley folks, seniors and non-seniors alike, and including a perma­nently-smiling Bruce McEwen of AVA fame, were in attendance for a lovely dinner of fish and chips and a lively evening of Bingo. It was all in a good cause. It will all happen again on September 14th, a few days before The County Fair. That will be a week when I’m not sure the Valley will be able to handle all the excitement!

Talking of excitement and lively evenings, there will be an important benefit on Saturday, August 21st at The Grange for the AV High School Sports Booster Club — Soccer/Futbol Program. The school district has virtually no money for high school sports these days and the vari­ous teams have to put on fundraisers for themselves in order to buy new equipment and uniforms, etc. The highly successful boys’ soccer program — the one that has been to the play-offs six years in succession after winning the regular season title in five of those years — has been wearing the same shirts and shorts for six sea­sons now and, to be blunt, they look more than a little shabby. For this upcoming fall 2010 season the team has a squad of 33 boys. Yes, that’s 33 young guys who will be involved in sports after school as many as five days a week. They need some new stuff. With your support this can be achieved. There will be an alumni tournament at 1pm on Saturday afternoon at Tom Smith Field beside the high school and following that, at 7pm, there will be an evening of Mexican food and drinks with local DJ Emilio and his Sonido Ritmo Azteca providing the sounds. Even if you can’t make it to the event you can always buy a ticket for a $10 donation — available from Coach Steve Sparks (895-2460), or at Lemons Market in Philo and ‘All that Good Stuff’ in Boonville. All pro­ceeds go to the soccer program and your contributions will be very much appreciated, I’m sure.

Public Service Announcements. #548: The Dance Groove returns to The Grange this Friday, August 20th at 7.30pm. #549: Bluegrass music comes to the Valley this weekend at the Golden Old Time Campout from Friday through Sunday, August 20th-22nd — see flyers for details. #550: A useful reminder that the AV Lending Library, run by The AV Unity Club, is open Tuesdays from 1.30pm to 4.30pm and on Saturdays from 2pm to 4pm at The Fairgrounds. #551: An early-ish heads-up on the next visit to the Valley by the Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital of Ukiah. They will be here at 2pm on Thursday, August 26th at the Farm Supply in Philo. #552: And let me give you the dates of the County Fair so you’ll know: it’s Friday through Sunday, September 17th-19th.

Topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge — “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Ram­pant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…Several people have written or stopped by to thank me for bringing attention to the continuing noise pollu­tion caused by Golden Eye Winery’s Narrows Vineyard in the Floodgate area of the Valley. Are the Golden Ears listening, I wonder? (With all that noise perhaps they can’t hear!)

…I was reminded by a couple of regulars that it’s the blackberry picking season along Highway 128 and the tourists are out there once again picking fruit, and getting covered in poison oak no doubt. I wonder if those Cal­Trans workers I saw picking opposite the Methodist Church in Philo are OK? I also wonder if they were on the clock or not. Meanwhile Blackberry Jerry and Bill Owens, two of the Valley’s ‘professional’ pickers, know exactly where to go and not get affected by such things and these ‘experts’ find the best berries I’ve had. I urge you to buy some if you get the chance. I should also mention rookie picker Spike Matson who gets his berries from a bountiful patch behind the Fairgrounds. I see a very good future in the berry-picking business for this young fellow.

…I made my monthly pilgrimage up to the County Dump last week and was very pleasantly surprised to see the place in good order and to be greeted by a polite, efficient, and personable young man by the name of Matt. Despite comments to the contrary in last week’s AVA, and even though my favorite Dump Guy, Bill, is no longer working up there, everything seemed to be in order. Besides, Bill could represent the US in a talking competition and sometimes you just wanted to drop off your stuff and get out of there quickly. Matt will allow you to do this and at the same time remind you that ‘no dead animals’ are allowed and advise you to leave that particular item to Vultures like myself, nature’s garbage collectors.

…I was unable to attend the Airport Party last Satur­day but by all accounts it was another success with many, many Valley folks taking flights over the Valley before enjoying the food and drinks at an excellent pot luck. Speaking of which, the topics of flying and food are covered in this Quote of the Week from Jean Kerr, author of the humorous book ‘Please Don’t Eat the Dai­sies,’ who said, “I feel the way about airplanes the same way I feel about diets: It seems to me that they are won­derful things for other people to go on.” I agree!

Time to take my leave. But first with the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wher­ever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPPS. Hi, Silver Swan. Behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably I shall begin. Let’s start with a couple of those good news/bad news items that can be either one of the two depending on your perspective. School starts next Mon­day, August 16th, good news for some, not so good for others, perhaps! That’s very early indeed and one would think that with all the cutbacks it would be counter-pro­ductive. However, I am informed that they will finish a little earlier at Christmas to allow many kids to travel at that time and they will also have a week off sometime in the spring so it will all balance out in the end. The other news is that there is talk of a rare public street protest in the Valley in support of the folks who are constantly being affected by the continuing noise pollution that comes from Golden Eye’s Narrows Vineyard in the Floodgate area between Christine Woods and Navarro. In the spring it was the helicopter-like frost-protectors that kept people awake in that area and now it’s the screeching and whining of heavy equipment doing who knows what untold practices virtually every night. Such a protest, if it does indeed happen, would certainly be good news for any people living in the vicinity who are in need of some support on this issue and it would probably be bad news for the publicity conscious pow­ers-that-be at Golden Eye Winery, wherever it is they peacefully live in their gated mansions and secluded ivory towers, no doubt many miles from our Valley.

And for your Quote of the Week, not at all related to the previous comment, I offer you these wise words from one of history’s great men, Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi: “It is difficult but not impossible to conduct strictly hon­est business. What is true is that honesty is incompatible with the amassing of a large fortune.”

Public Service Announcements. #83: The Annual Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival is taking place at Meyer Family Cellars from 2pm this coming Saturday, Aug 14th. #84: The always popular Airport Party, fea­turing free airplane rides over the Valley and one big Valley Pot Luck is also this Saturday afternoon and eve­ning in Boonville at the airport. #85: And another event this Saturday is the elimination round for the Mendocino County Fair’s sheep dog trial. This is at The Fairgrounds starting at 10am. #86: The Lions Club will meet this coming Monday, August 16th at The Grange at 7pm. #87: The Grange Board will have their monthly gather­ing on Tuesday the 17th, also at 7pm and not surpris­ingly also at The Grange. #88: Heads-up for a very spe­cial benefit on Saturday, August 21st at The Grange for the AV High School Sports Booster Club-Soccer/Futbol Program. This will feature an evening of Mexican food, drinks, and music with local DJ Emilio and his Sonido Ritmo Azteca. It starts at 7pm following the Alumni Tournament that will be played from 1pm that day at Tom Smith Field next to the high school. Even if you cannot make it to the event you can always buy a ticket for a $10 donation and all proceeds will go to the soccer program. Tickets are available from Coach Steve Sparks (895-2460) and at Lemons Market in Philo and ‘All that Good Stuff’ in Boonville. Your contributions would be greatly appreciated, I know.

Topics under discussion this week at The 3-Dot Lounge — “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Ram­pant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…A regular at The 3-Dot informs that the ice cream shop in Boonville is now finally open with the name ‘Paysanne,’ which, when I initially ‘Googled’ this word, I found meant ‘the cutting of vegetables into thin slices.’ Not exactly what you’d expect in connection with your ice cream, eh? However, sometime later in the day, Val­ley chanteuse Nahara informed me, via Bea at ‘All that Good Stuff’ store in Boonville, that in French it means ‘country woman’ and that makes more sense, although I would venture to guess not many people will know that; French not being spoken by many in the Valley nor any­where nearby. Oh, well, ‘c’est la vie.’ Anyway, appar­ently out-of-town customers have been plentiful and that has also proven to be good news to the surrounding busi­nesses too. Hopefully the products are affordable to all and locals will also be able to support this exciting new venture. ‘Bon voyage, mes amis!’

…Local musician and storyteller, Bill Owens, popped into The 3-Dot for a beer after regaling many of these same visitors with his tunes and tales as he sat out­side the new ice cream store. He told us that he had informed the tourists that now that he is 80 years old he and wife Wanda are becoming self-employed and are going into the Iron and Steel industry. “She’s going to start ironing and I’m going to begin stealing!” Bill also told them, rather sadly, that his dog had been acting a little crazy lately and he’d had to shoot it. A gullible tourist asked if the dog was mad to which Bill replied, “Well he wasn’t too pleased!”

Talking of dogs, a local shepherd showed up at The 3-Dot gasping for a beer after working two of his dogs at the Barn Sale Field alongside Hwy 128 just north of Boonville. He had witnessed last weekend’s sheep dog display at the Not-So-Simple Living Fair and was inspired to put his dogs through their paces even though it was a hot afternoon in the Valley. The working dogs, old (11) Fred and young (2) Beth, did their job very well before diving into the nearby water trough to cool off. The herded sheep were left to relax and nibble on some fresh alfalfa hay in the shade. Why the gasping shep­herd? Well, he had lost his truck keys somewhere in the field and had to walk into town under the hot sun to col­lect a spare set from his sympathetic wife — and grab a much-needed beer as he reflected on his error. He had been guilty of ignoring Shepherding Rule #3: ‘Never take your truck keys into the fields or up into the hills.’ Meanwhile, I’m sure you all know Rule #1: ‘The herding is never done until the sheep are where you want them to be with the gate closed.’ And #2: ‘Never trust a sheep to tell the whole truth.’

Time to take my leave, but first a gentle reminder that with the hot, yet not too hot weather, please remem­ber to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, hum­bly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPPS. On the sheep, Grace.

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Congratulations to the organizers of ‘The Not-So-Simple Living Fair’ for their excellent job this past weekend at the event held in Boonville. The committee of Doug Mosel, Rob Goodell, Captain Rain­bow, Sophia Bates, and Linda McElwee put together a very eclectic program covering all aspects of country living on both Saturday and Sunday, with the many vol­unteers and exhibitors all playing their part. Numbers were good on Saturday but somewhat low on Sunday although all costs were covered and that was obviously very important. Some visitors felt that occasionally too many events were going on at the same time and they had to make difficult choices, but this was the first such event for nearly 30 years and next time any such prob­lems will no doubt be ironed out. I spoke to some fair­grounds’ staff and they emphasized that every event there takes a couple of years to reach its potential and I fully expect that when the word spreads about the quality and scope of this show, the numbers will surely come. ‘Well done’ to all involved. Hope you’ll do it all again next year.

Public Service Announcements: #31: Live music at the Navarro Store continues this weekend with another top draw act, The Subdudes, appearing on both Friday (Aug 6th) and Saturday (7th) in the Deepend, accompa­nied by Rogerwood and Friends, and Dave Dart, and of course, there will be affordable drinks and Pablo on the grill “putting the meat to the heat.” #32: On Saturday (Aug 7th) at the regular gathering for the Boonville Farmer’s Market in the Boonville Hotel parking lot there will be the blackberry cook-off featuring recipes, tast­ings, and competitions from 9.30am to noon. #33: It’s the second Tuesday of the month coming up (Aug 10th) and you all know what that means: Dinner and Bingo at the Senior Center in Boonville. At 6pm Cook Natalie will serve her ‘fish and chips’ dinner with salad and des­sert and then at about 7pm it’s bingo time! You don’t have to be a senior to attend and I guarantee you will have a good time and may even win one of the cash prizes. I can’t guarantee that of course, despite my ‘con­nections’! #34: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the AV Museum is open from 1-4pm at the Little Red Schoolhouse on Hwy 128 just north of Boonville. As I said before, this is the best little museum in the West! You will not be disappointed.

Finally, #35, and also this coming Saturday, it’s the annual Lu’au Fundraiser for our local public radio sta­tion, KZYX&Z at the Boonville Fairgrounds featuring the Hawaiian Island sounds of Kevin Brown, Robyn Mahealani Knuebuhl, Kalae Miles and local favorites Hui Arago with a full on ono Lu’au dinner being served along with heavy pupus! Everything gets underway at 3:30pm. A limited number of tickets are available for $45 in advance. You won’t want to miss this beautiful event and as it provides a big part of the station’s annual income, your attendance would be much appreciated, not to mention that you’d have a really good time of course.

Topics at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…The Boonville Saloon (formerly The Lodge) will definitely open really soon. As will the Ice Cream Shop. The Buckhorn is two months away.

…While my own invitation was once again mysteri­ously lost in the mail, a couple of distinguished ladies of the Valley came by to tell me that the monthly gathering of the Independent Career Women (I.C.W.) took place at Freda Fox’s home last week and that the evening was a roaring success with delicious fried chicken, various sal­ads, cupcakes, and a very competitive ‘white elephant gift-giving’ game. I can’t wait for the next one.

…An annoying member of the public came into The 3-Dot this past week and said he had nearly ended up in a ditch trying to avoid a large number of Turkey Vultures on Hwy 128 who were devouring a dead animal. Need­less to say he was swiftly asked to leave after I explained to him the dangers of what we did on the highways and by-ways of the Valley in our brave efforts as nature’s garbage collectors. I went on to add that it’s not all glamour being a Turkey Vulture but that we do indeed get many compliments. I feel I should remind you all, once again, of my favorite one which came from no less an expert than Charles Darwin who said about us Turkey Vultures, “A disgusting bird whose bald scarlet head is formed to wallow in putridity.” Thank you for those kind words, Chuck. And that’s the Quote of the Week.

With the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request: “Let us prey.” Poking and strok­ing egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Let­ters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPPS. Hi, Silver Swan — behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. I was just one of over a hundred peo­ple in attendance at the most recent live music show down in The Deep End at Dave Evans’ Navarro Store on the Sunday before last. The performances went from around 3pm thru to 11pm at night and featured The Thorn Petals, Ralph Woodsen and his Jimi Hendrix Tribute Band, and finally, Guitar Shorty. With inexpen­sive beer available in the store and Pablo on the grill turning out some fine bbq including a delicious tri-tip sandwich plate, it was a great afternoon and evening and I encourage you to attend the next one. If Pink Floyd music and laser light shows are your thing, that is (see below). If not the one after: The Subdudes on both August 6th and 7th.

On to the Public Service Announcements. #195. The Vets from Mendocino Animal Hospital return once again tomorrow, July 29th when they will be at The Farm Sup­ply from 2pm to 3.30pm. I suggest you take advantage of this service and save yourself a trip over the hill to Ukiah while you can. they will not be back until late August. #196. As mentioned above, the live music continues in The Deep End with The House of Floyd’s appearance, along with laser light show, at the Navarro Store on Sat­urday, July 31st. #197. The Not-So-Simple Living Fair, sponsored by the Anderson Valley Foodshed Group, is taking place this coming weekend, July 31st and August 1st, at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville and will feature workshops, demonstrations, and a shar­ing of rural living and homesteading skills, plus an appearance by The Gschwend Family Sheepdogs and much more! For more info call 684-0028.

Now to a new feature. The Praise (‘Preys’ in Vulture-speak) of the Week.’ For the inaugural edition we have two recipients. It was a hot and sticky evening a couple of Thursday’s ago at Lauren’s Restaurant in Boonville for the weekly General Knowledge and Trivia Quiz, and then the crowd of nearly forty were informed that the water in the building had ceased to flow. On top of this, the fryers went down and some of the power went out. Obviously, this was all bad news for a busy restaurant. Lauren had only one course of action and called Mr. Fix-It himself: Mike Crutcher, who was soon on the scene to do his thing. Not long afterwards, it was all systems go. On behalf of many Quizlies and assorted other custom­ers, ‘Preys’ goes to good old Mike. A little later that same evening, news spread of the fire up in the hills at the Gaines Family’s Highland Ranch and with the Quiz-playing Rob Giuliani and Judy Long able to keep in touch by radio with the firefighters up there at ground zero, those of us in Lauren’s were well informed of developments. Despite significant damage nobody was hurt, although the Gaines Family, all gathered at the ranch for their family reunion, were certainly in need of some sustenance. ‘Preys’ is indeed due to Lauren and her staff for re-opening their kitchen, which had closed for the night, and serving the Family some hearty meals in their time of need when they turned up in town. At the risk of repeating myself, I must say we do live in place with some very caring and giving people.

Topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge: Yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…Still the ice cream shop remains unopened?? Come on Johnnie, pull your finger out!

…The Boonville Saloon (formerly The Lodge) could well open this coming weekend, but it might not. Mean­while The Buckhorn is two months away.

…School starts on Monday, August 16th! Volleyball and soccer get underway before the end of August; foot­ball remains shrouded in unknowns.

…I am to told by several regulars that around about now thru’ August is the time to buy your propane; i.e. when prices should be at their annual low.

…My good friend, Steve Sparks, who does the inter­views with Valley folks that appear in this publication each week, showed up at The 3-Dot and asked me to point out that the favorite song of last week’s inter­viewee, Loretta Houck, is not Tom Petty’s ‘Running down the Drain’ but his far more popular song ‘Running down a Dream.’ Sparks had clearly been drinking heav­ily when he wrote that and now apologizes profusely.

…The late-night/early morning noise made by vari­ous contraptions at The Narrows vineyard owned by Golden Eye Winery continues to upset many in the Floodgate/Christine Woods area of the Valley. One regular is convinced that any bed and breakfasts in that particular part of the Valley must be unable to continue their normal business with guests not prepared to pay for the ‘pleasure’ of trying to sleep through such an awful din. Those who actually live near there have no such choice; Golden Eye Winery most certainly does.

With the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. Oh, and of course, one final request, “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse through the Letters Page or by e-mail: turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably I shall begin. I am very pleased to report that once again the ‘Dinner and Bingo Night’ at the Senior Center was a big success with 53 people in attendance! The dinner, prepared by new Senior Center cook Natalie Matson, ably assisted by Gloria Abbott and Cindi Pardini, was delicious: a sausage and spinach lasagna, salad bar, veg­gies, and carrot cake, all of it made from scratch with locally grown organic produce. The big bingo prizes were won by Berna Walker, Harold Perry, and the $60 top prize went to Ellen Fontaine (born Ingram). The eve­ning was for a good cause, everyone seemed to have a fun-time, and it happens again on the second Tuesday of next month (as always), August 10th. I’ll see you there. Oh, and next time there will be beer and wine too!

Let’s get in to the Public Service Announcements, lots of them at this time of year. #63: The vets from the Mendocino Animal Hospital are making visits to the Valley the next two Thursdays. I don’t know how this unusual schedule has come about, but it has, so I suggest you take advantage of it because they will not be back for another month. Anyway, they’ll be at The AV Farm Supply tomorrow (July 22nd) from 2-3:30pm and then again next week (July 29th), same time, same place. Please try to support your local Farm Supply while you’re there. #64: The annual California Wine Tasting Championships will be taking place at Greenwood Ridge Vineyards this Saturday, July 24th. Call 895-2002 for more information. #65: This Saturday is Pat Hulbert’s monthly Bake Sale at Lemons Market in Philo from 10am until everything is sold — huckleberry pies, apple pies, tarts, cakes, breads and cookies. Don’t be late! #66: The AV Lions Club Tri-Tip BBQ Dinner to benefit the AV Ambulance is this Sunday, July 25th at 4:30pm at The Fairgrounds in Boonville. Not to be missed. #67: It’s time again for you bargain hunters to get over to the Barn Sale Weekend at The St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Refectory on AV Way just north of Boonville, 9am to 3pm, on both Saturday and Sunday, July 24th/25th. Efren will be on the bbq grill and, for this month only, they have a Summer Special with every sin­gle clothing item on sale for $1! Yes, $1. #68: It’s a full moon on Sunday, July 25th. You can’t say you haven’t been warned! But meanwhile remember the wise words of Carl Sandburg, the Pulitzer prize-winning writer and poet, who said “The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to.” And those comforting words are your Quote of the Week.

Topics under recent discussion at The Three-Dot Lounge: Yes, it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…Contrary to one strange rumor I heard at The Three-Dot over the weekend, The Buckhorn, which is to be the name of the new pub/restaurant opening in up­town Boonville in a couple of months or so, will defi­nitely have the use of much of the beer garden space out­side. I’m thinking ‘bbq and pitchers of beer’!

…The Boonville Saloon at the location formerly occu­pied by The Boonville Lodge in the heart of down­town could be open by the end of the month — Alcohol Beverage Control board permitting. Fingers and claws crossed.

…Not for the first time, a very lively discussion devel­oped amongst several regulars with regards to the AV High School colors. Now while some may think this is not that important, to many who have played sports for their school, it is very significant and a source of great pride. This is why the school’s decision, taken about ten years ago based on the votes of one senior class, to go to black and gold rather than the traditional brown and gold, continues to upset many Valley folks and alumni who follow the school’s activities, particularly sports. Meanwhile, School Athletic Director Robert Pinoli tells me that the colors are actually brown, gold, and black and he has an AV letterman jacket from 1967, his fresh­man year, to prove it! He goes on to point out that brown was both difficult and expensive to get. This is not the case now and so the good news for the traditionalists is that both the football team (if we are to have one this season) and the baseball squad, will continue to play in the brown and gold and it’s rumored that when the soc­cer program gets new uniforms they too will be in the traditional colors. Ya gotta like that!

…Talking of the school, the new Principal is to be Jim Tomlin (former Vice Principal) who despite always reminding me that he is an “old man,” actually is a young man at heart and we at The Three-Dot wish him every success in his new position where his positive attitude and outlook will no doubt serve him very well.

…A number of regulars have informed me that they will be late arrivals for their Friday afternoon libations this week as they plan to be gorging themselves at the opening of the new ice cream shop due to happen on July 23rd. I told them I wouldn’t be at The Three-Dot either and to look for me at the very front of the line outside Johnny Schmitt’s latest venture in uptown Boonville!

…Finally this week, I am told that there is a new “sub­urb” in Boonville: the west side of Highway 128 stretching from Rossi’s Hardware store to Donald Pardini’s house, a few hundred feet to the south. As those two places are homes to dogs called Duke, this small area is now known as Dukeville! I think I like it. This, together with all the downtown and uptown stuff in the heart of the Valley, would seem to suggest we’re getting to be a virtual metropolitan area! Naah. Never!

Time to take my leave. Before I depart I just wanted to add, as I always do at this time of year, that with the hot weather now upon us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request: “Let us prey.” Poking and strok­ing egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Let­ters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably I shall begin. Let’s get straight on to the Public Service Announcements and that way if you don’t want to read all the other stuff you don’t have to! (Very thoughtful of me, eh?) #215: With it being the third Friday, it’s time for the monthly Dance Groove at The Grange on July 16th from 7-10pm with dancing and gyrating to the sounds of D.J. Pete. #216: At the Boonville Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning (July 17th, 9:30-noon) in the hotel parking lot, not only will there be the usual goodies, but they’ll also have the ‘diamond edge knife and tool sharpening’ on offer. #217: This weekend, Sat July 17th, in the Deep End sees the next event in the summer’s live music series — the blues guitar sounds of Guitar Shorty following an opening act featuring The Ralph Woodson Experience — a Jimi Hendrix tribute band. #219 & #220: The Lions Club monthly meeting is on Monday 19th and The Grange meeting is Tuesday 20th, both at 7pm, now you know.

Moving on to a few quickies under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…I can confirm that Tom Towey, recently of Boon­ville Lodge fame, will open a pub/restaurant at the loca­tion in the heart of downtown Boonville formerly known as The Buckhorn Saloon/Highpockety Ox sometime in the next couple of months.

…Shelley Scaramella will re-open a bar at The Lodge location in the next month hopefully. No restau­rant is planned for the space next door at this time.

…The new ice cream shop, under the auspices of Johnny ‘Two Scoops’ Schmitt from the Boonville Hotel, with the very competent Miranda in charge, is now looking at a Friday, July 23rd opening day. I don’t know if I can wait that long for some delicious vanilla choco­late chip but I’ll do my best. Hope you can do the same.

…Several regulars wish me to pass on their gratitude to Ricardo at The Redwood Drive-In in downtown Boonville for showing World Cup matches when nobody else in town either could or would. For the Final on Sun­day he even sent out several plates of complimentary appetizers to the assembled masses that probably num­bered about 40 people. I even spotted Deputy Squires in there for one of the semi-finals, although he is not an admirer of ‘The Beautiful Game’ so I suspect he had no idea what was going on, nor cared.

Talking of which, as I watched the Final on Sunday morning, I ravenously devoured the delicious chicken taco plate and cheered the Netherlands on as they lost 0-1 against Spain. To complement this delightful lunch I guzzled down a couple of Scrimshaw Pilsners from the brewery in Fort Bragg and I have to tell you that the zesty chicken coupled with the cool pilsner beer was— yes, you guessed it, orgasmic; and that’s why I just have to have Scrimshaw as my Wine (Beer) of the Week.

Now let’s move to the Whine of the Week. What can I say. I’ve had a very pleasant week with little to com­plain about. How about the people you often meet whom we Turkey Vultures refer to as The Cappers? I’ve over­heard and spoken with several over the past week or two (and hundreds over the years) who would fit this description. In these cases all were out-of-towners who just cannot accept that perhaps you know the Valley somewhat better than them. You know who they are: those who, having listened to you for a few sentences at the most, have to jump in and ‘cap’ your tale/news with a similar tale/news of their own that takes much longer to tell and, more often than not, is quite boring, and some­times untrue if the truth were told. Nevertheless, they just have to grab a little limelight whenever they can, always lecturing, enjoying the sound of their own voice, and unable to just listen and converse. ‘Feed them to the hungry pigs on Ornbaun Road’ I say. (Of course we do have our own local Cappers and for a list of these please turn to page 74).

Time to take my leave. But first, the usual farewell comments. With the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request, “Let us prey.” Pok­ing and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by email at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPPS. Hi, Silver Swan; behaving yourself? Hopefully not!

Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably I shall begin. Due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to attend The Olde Time 4th of July Celebration but Hummingbird was there, in Stars and Stripes t-shirt and Lions Club apron, serving up some delicious tri-tip sandwiches along with many others from the always-giving AV Lions. The bad news, at least for Poleekos (Philo folks) and Deep Enders (Navarro dwellers), was that for the first time in nine years, the Men’s Tug-of-War was won by The Boonts (Boonville ‘city slickers’) and High Rollers (Yorkville mountain people). To add insult to injury the city slicker chicks and mountain girls also won the Women’s event! I suppose it was their turn, and more importantly, perhaps, was that the community as a whole had a wonderful afternoon. Thanks to all the organizers who gave their time and efforts in true AV style.

With this in mind, for the Quote of the Week, I offer these words from Morgan Scott Peck, an American psy­chiatrist and best-selling author, best known for his first book, ‘The Road Less Traveled,’ who wrote “There can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community.” Sounds like he may have been on that victorious tug-of-war team!

Public Service Announcements. #162: The live music in the Deep End resumes this coming weekend on Friday (9th) evening at the Navarro Store with the wonderful Blues guitarist Walter Trout. #163: the annual Boonville Art Walk will take place on Saturday, July 10th and you are encouraged to take a stroll around town from 3-6pm admiring the many exhibitions. #164: Laughing Dog Books in downtown Boonville has the paintings of young Hannah Newcomer (daughter of Shelly and Jay) on display throughout the month of July. Opening hours are Friday thru’ Monday, 9am to 7pm each day. Buy a book, admire some art. What’s not to like? #165: Last, but no means least, it’s time to remind you of next week’s Bingo and Dinner Night (July 13th) held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Veterans Building in Boonville to benefit the Senior Center. Dinner will be served at 6pm with Bingo to follow at about 7pm. It’s a great Valley night out, starting with Gloria’s salad bar, followed by a tasty dinner, freshly prepared by Natalie Matson, and featuring spinach and sausage lasagna with zucchini and real garlic bread, with homemade carrot cake for dessert; not to mention lots of prizes to be won at bingo, and you don’t have to be a senior to enjoy it all. Everyone is welcome! ($7 for dinner; $5 suggested donation by seniors.)

Topics this week at The Three-Dot Lounge — “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.

…It’s almost a done deal at The Buckhorn Building! Former Boonville Lodge owner, Tom Towey has just about reached an agreement with landlords Gary and Ginny Island to open a pub/restaurant in the space that has been empty since Feb. 2008. More details to follow as I get them, but Tom has indicated that the pub will have a similar menu to that he offered at The Lodge, with a broad selection of draft beers and Valley wines, plenty of outside seating as well as the newly renovated restaurant and bar space inside, and his wonderful Brunch that was so popular down the road served at the weekend. It all sounds good to me.

…It has come to my attention that the recently formed ‘Gentlemen Only Book Reading Organization (GOBRO) — Military History Section’ in the Valley has been criticized in some female quarters for not allowing women members. The group apparently consists of eight gentlemen, with membership closed at this point. So let me understand this: we have the Independent Career Women (ICW) for women only; the Sassy Ladies — for ladies only; the Women’s Dinner Group — for women only; the Unity Club — not officially for women only but when I last checked a few months ago there were no men involved; the ‘Girls Night Out’ evening at Lauren’s Restaurant, for ‘girls’ only; and two very successful and long-standing book clubs that to my knowledge are for women only. These are no doubt all very lovely gather­ings. I think it’s great to have these women’s fellowships with shared interests and aims, and long may every one of them continue. So why the criticism of this new gen­tlemen’s group on grounds of sexism? This group is not sexist; it’s simply a group of men getting together to dis­cuss military history with other men. A healthy thing for one and all, I would venture to suggest. Nothing more, nothing less. Isn’t it time for some of those around here who take political correctness to it’s narrow-minded extremes to realize that their stance is frequently a restriction on truth, free speech, and thought, and that they have become a vigilante force that imposes its views while accusing others of intolerance if you don’t agree with everything they say. Get over it and form your own book club, I say!

…One regular echoed the sentiments of many others with a mini-rant about the parking of visitors in down­town Boonville. Through the summer months it is true that we have many people pulling in and parking at 90 degrees to the sidewalk, not parallel, as is the custom around here outside our stores and businesses. Along with many others he has even seen locals commit this ‘crime’! Come on folks, we can’t be doing that. We have our ways, they work, let’s not forget where we are.

Time to take my leave. Meanwhile, with the hot weather now with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you. One final request: “Let us prey.” Poking and stroking egos wherever necessary and, as always, humbly yours, Tur­key Vulture. PS. Keep the Faith. PPS. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or by e-mail at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net.